Door check and holding device



Feb. 10, 1953 R. l. SCHONITZER 2,627,624

DOOR CHECK AND HOLDING DEVICE Filed May s, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 INVENTOR. AUDOLPH Z JCHwV/TZER A 77'0ENE K5 Feb. 10, 1953 R. [.SCHONITZER DOOR CHECK AND HOLDING DEVICE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed May 3, 1948 v di ild llll ..l a :3.

93 Fly /6 /7 94 INVENTOR.

ATTOENE Y5 R F. m w m u W M n.

Patented Feb. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to a combination door check and holding device for retaining two cooperating members such as an automobile door and its frame in predetermined position with respect to each other and more particularly to a device for checking the movement of a door or the like in one direction and thereafter retaining the door in the checked position.

Devices made in accord with the invention are particularly adapted for use in conjunction with doors and door frame in which the door is hinged on an axis that is somewhat inclined but is more nearly vertical than horizontal and the door is swung between opened and closed positions about that axis. Examples are the doors of present day automobiles which frequently are hingeably mounted on inclined body posts or pillars, with the result that they have a natural tendency to swing to a closed position. The undesired closing movement of automobile doors as the'result of such tendency has resulted in serious personal injury, and the provision of means for releasably holding such doors in open position whenever they are moved thereto is desirable. The present checking and holding device functions when such a door is opened to resiliently limit the amount which the door may open and thereafter to retain the door in the opened position until it is pushed manually to its closed position. Morespecifically the invention relates to the combination of a link member and spring arms carried either by the door or frame member and a novel structure carried by the other and having ribs for engagement with the spring arms to hold the door in open position with respect to its supporting frame. The A. H. Breitenwischer Patent No. 2,237,046 of April 1, 1941, discloses .a door check and holding device of the general type herein illustrated and the present invention is an improvement on the device of said patent.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a device of the type indicated, hereafter referred to as a door checking or door checking and holding mechanism, that is of improved and simplified construction. Another object is to provide a door holding mechanism in which a novel structure embodying two substantially parallel ribs adapted to lie on opposite sides of a flat link member movable with respect thereto may be locked between the link member andspring arms carried thereby when the door is in the opened position. Still another object is to provide in, combination with a door holding device a flat link carried by either the door or frame member and a structure having two bar like ribs carried by the other member in such manner that the link slides between the ribs to retain the door and its frame in the desired position with respect to each other. A further object of the invention is to provide a door check and holding device in which the holding elements carried by the frame and door respectively may easily interlock with each other to hold the members positively in the desired relative position until manual pressure is exerted on the door sufficient to disengage the elements and allow the door to be closed. Still an additional object is to provide simple, inexpensive and durable rib and rib supporting structures to engage with the link carried mechanism. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following specification read with reference to the accompanying drawings. The novel features of the invention are set forth in the claims.

Referring now to the drawings: Figure 1 is a horizontal section through a portion of a door member and door pillar or post member of an automobile body showing in solid lines the door in opened position and in dot and dashlines the position of the door and door check mechanism when the former is in closed position; Figures 2 and 3 are sections through Figure 1 as indicated by the lines 2-2 and 33 respectively thereon; Figure 4 is a fragmentary section in the plane of Figure 1 showing a modified form of rib structure; Figure 5 is an elevation looking in the direction as indicated by the lines 55 on Figure 4 showingin detail this modified form of construction; Figure 6 is a section through Figure 5 as indicated by the lines 66 thereon; Figure? is a fragmentary section similar to Figure 4 and illustrates a further modified form of rib construction; Figure 8 is an elevation as indicated by the lines 88 on Figure '7; Figure 9 is a section through Figure 8 as indicated by the lines 9-9 thereon; Figure 10' illustrates a further alternative form of construction and corresponds in position to Figure 4; Figure 11 is an elevation as indicated by the lines I |'l l on Figure 10; Figure 12 is a section as indicated by the lines l2-I2 on Figure 11; a still further alternative construction is illustrated in Figure 13 which in position corresponds generally to Figure 4; Figure 14 is an elevation as indicated by the lines l4-l 4 on Fig.- ure 13; Figure 15 is a section as indicated by the lines l5-i5 on Figure 14; and, Figures 16 and 1'? illustrate alternative rib constructions along the lines'of the form illustrated in Figure 14.

As indicated above the drawings illustrate various forms of the invention, all of which have cer- 3 tain common characteristics. Each form includes a link member of a door check and holding mechanism together with at least one spring arm carried against a broad face of the link and suitably secured to it. A cushion element or bumper encircles the link and the spring arm and functions to absorb the shock incident to stopping the door when it reaches its fully opened position. A complementary portion of the check and holding mechanism in the form of a stamped metal structure carrying two spaced parallel ribs and forming a complete subassembly is mounted in position so the ribs lie on either side of the link which slides with respect to them. The link mechanism is pivotally carried by either the door i post member or the door member, preferably the former, and the rib structure is carried by the other member. In operation the mechanism functions so that the cushion or bumper resiliently limits the extent to which the door may be opened at which time one or both of the ribs are locked between the link and one or two spring arms carried thereby, thus retaining the door in opened position.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figure 1, the generally hollow left front door of an automobile is indicated at Ill and is hingedly mounted at I2 to swing about a generally hollow front post or pillar 14 that is rigid with the automobile frame. ward inclination of the hinge axis of the body posts or pillars the tendency of the door is to swing to a closed position so that the door shown in Figure I normally tends to move from its open position shown in solid lines to the closed position shown in dot and dash lines and this can result in serious personal injury, particularly if such movement of the door is unexpected. The other doors of the car normally are mounted on similarly inclined hinge axes and hence are subject to the same tendency to close unexpectedly. The door is checked in its opening motion by the resilient shock absorbing cushion or bumper. While the particular uses of the door check and holding mechanism described herein are directed toward automobiles, and more particularly to those with inclined hinge axes, it will be evident that the invention may be used in other circumstances. The constructions described herein represent several forms of the invention and customary method of use but the scope of the invention is to be limited solely by the appended claims. In the forms of the invention illustrated herein the checking and holding mechanism is shown as principally contained within the hollow door and supported by a link secured to the door post but it will be evident that the installation may be reversed so the mechanism is largely contained within the hollow vehicle body post or pillar and the link secured to the door.

Each form of the present device includes a relatively fiat straight steel arm or link [5 having its forward end pivotally or otherwise suitably connected at ll on an axis substantially parallel with the hinge axis l2 to a bracket [8 secured to the post. The other end of the link l5 lies within the generally hollow door, passing through the front edge wall 29 thereof and through a thicker vertical reinforcing partition or rib 22 secured as shown to the edge member and the interior panel member 2 3 of the door. The opening in the edge member 23 is of sufficient size to receive the bracket l8 and the pin ll when the door is in the closed position shown Because of the inin Figure 1. The opening in the vertical partltion 22 is indicated at 25 and is in the form of a slot through which the flat link l5 may pass freely as hereafter described, the slot being of sufficient vertical width to permit spring arms mounted on the link to pass through when the door is opened or closed. It will be evident that the relative location of the bracket [8 and link [5 may be reversed so the bracket is secured to the door and the link slides into position within the door post.

.When the door is in the closed position the check and holding mechanism is inoperative but when the door is opened the mechanism functions first to check the door as it reaches its fully opened position and thereafter to hold the door in the opened position until such time as sufficient force is exerted upon it to release the holding mechanism and thereafter push the door to a closed position.

The components that cooperate with link [5 to make up the complete checking and holding mechanism are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 and include two spring arms 3Q formed of stiff spring steel and secured in cooperating relation with the link l5 and on opposite sides thereof. While it is preferred that two such spring member he provided it will be evident that, if desired, one only may be used without departing from the present invention. Each spring arm includes a relatively flat portion 33 adapted to lie against the link !5 and a central raised portion 34 providing a pocket between the link and arm. The arm is bent inwardly at 37 again to contact the link and terminates in an outwardly extending lip 38 by which the spring arm is cammed over a bearing part hereafter described to permit the same to become seated and releasably locked in the pocket or released therefrom.

Each spring arm is secured permanently to the link l5 by an assembly including a member or washer positioned as shown in Figure 2 on top of the flat portion 33 of a spring arm in such manner that the member, spring arm and link iii are all secured together as a unitary asssembly by a rivet 42. In the form of the invention illustrated in'Figure 2 wherein two spring arms are employed it will be evident that two members or washers are provided and that the rivet t2 joins the link, both spring arms and both washer members together.

A cushion to absorb the shock incident to opening the door is provided in'the form of a pad 45 made of rubber, neoprene or other resilient material; preferably in the form of a relatively thick disc with a central opening to accommodate the-link and spring arms as shown in Figure 2. -When the door i opened the full amount of the unabsorbed load transmitted by the cushion is taken by a steel stamped disc 41 mounted on the link [5 and interposed between the pad and'the adjacent shoulders of the washer members 40.

The mechanism just described engages with cooperating rib elements carried in a bracket that is secured to the vertical reinforcing partition 22 of the door; Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, these ribs are indicated at 5.; and are secured in a stamped metal bracket 52 to form with it a unitary assembly that is riveted at 54 to the partition 22. The ribs extend across the opening 25 and are held in position to lie on opposite sides of the link it: as shown'in Figure 2, the link being cut away adjacent the pockets formed by the spring members 36. At the time the door is moved to its fully opened position the portions 38 of the spring members engage with the ribs 5!) and are cammed outwardly, allowing the ribs to slip into the pockets between the spring members and link at the time the door reaches its fully opened position. When the door is closed the portions 3'! of the spring members engage the ribs in sliding contact, opening the spring members and allowing the ribs to be with drawn from the pockets as the closing motion of the door continues.

The bracket in which the ribs are mounted is made of a single piece steel stamping formed from a flat sheet to the shape shown. Th central part of the bracket is formed into generally U-shaped channel portions 55 in which the ribs are mounted and spaced from each other by inturned tongues 51' extending from channel portions 55 at the edges of a cut out center portion 58 of the bracket. As is clearly seen in Figure 3, the inner end of the left hand channel shaped portion 55 extends to a side of the opening '58 and the inner end of the opposite channel shaped portion 55 extends to the opposite side of the opening 58. The ribs 58 are restrained against movement lengthwise in the bracket by inturned tongues 60 at each end thereof which overlie the ends of the ribs as best shown in Figures 1 and 3. The tongues 60 also hold the ribs against transverse movement in the bracket by closely overlying the ends of the ribs which are undercut at an angle to their longitudinal axis as shown in Figure 1, thus providing a unitary assembly of ribs and bracket which may be packaged as a unit prior to installation.

Various alternative forms of bracket and rib constructions are disclosed in the drawings and will be hereafter described. In each case the other elements of the mechanism including the link l5, spring arms 36, cushion 45 and the manner in Which they are secured together are identical, as is the manner in which the link is mounted on the vehicle body. In each case the only change of one form over the other is in the form of the bracket and rib construction.

In the construction shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 a bracket 52 is stamped from a piece of flat steel stock and is provided with two raised channel shaped portions 54 adapted partially to house ribs 65 and retain them against movement away from each other and away from the flat portion of the bracket. The ribs are spaced from each other by inturned tongues 61 bent downwardly from th portions 64 as shown in Figure 4 and they are locked against endwise motion by lips 68 on the bracket that overlie their ends. The rib ends are undercut as shown at and thus are prevented from falling out of the bracket by the lips which lie closely against and within these undercut ends. The bracket is riveted at 69 to the body portion 22 so that the link may slide between the ribs and cooperate with them in the manner described above.

Another form of bracket construction is illustrated in Figures 7, 8 and 9 in which a bracket 1| conformin generally to the form of Figure 5 is provided except for the fact that the tongues undercut rib portions '55 in all respects similar to those described in connection with Figure 5 and indicated at 58 and 18 respectively. Rivets l! are provided to secure the bracket in place on the door partition 22.

Still another form of construction is illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12 in which a bracket is provided with bent up portions 8! and 82 at each end thereof providing housings for the ribs, such bent up portions being doubled back as indicated at 84 in Figure 12 to space corresponding ribs 85 from each other in the same manner described in connection with Figur 9. The ribs 55 are prevented from endwise movement by outturned portions 88 thereof and are prevented from falling out of the bracket by a plate 88 that is welded at 82' to the plate from which the portions 8! and 82 are formed. The complete assembly of plates and ribs are secured by rivets 89 to the vehicle body as described in the case of the other constructions above.

A modified form of rib construction is illus trated in Figures 13, 14 and 15 in which two ribs 90 are bent as shown to provide a central. portion 9| for accommodation of th link l5. The

- ribs also include end portions Q3 connected with portions 3! by portions 9 and lying at a slight angle to each other to hold the two ribs separated as shown in Figure 1 The ribs are partially retained in the bracket within portions stamped from a plate Si? and are prevented from falling out of the pockets by a second plate 88 (Figure 15) welded at 95; to the plate 91. The end portions 93 and the connecting portions 94 prevent the ribs from moving endwise in the bracket. In this form of construction the bracket plates and ribs again are riveted as indicated to the partition 22 of the vehicle door.

The shape of the ends of the ribs 9i! as indicated at 93 in Figure 14 may be modified somewhat as shown in Figures 16 and 17. Thus the ends of the ribs may be bent outwardly from each other as indicated at Illil in Figure 16 or they may lie parallel to each other as indicated at H32 in Figure 17. In each case they are retained in position in the same manner as are the ribs of Figure 14 and function in the same manner as the construction illustrated in the latter figure,

In the case of the various alternative constructions described above all the mechanisms function in precisely the same manner when the door is either opened or closed. When the door is swung from closed to opened position the parts move relative to each other from the dotted to the solid line position of Figure 1, during which movement the lips 38 of the spring arms 36 engage the ribs of the brackets and by them are cammed away from the link [5 as the opening motion of the door continues. As the door approaches its final position the portions 31 of the spring arms snap over the ribs locking them in the openings formed by the outwardly bowed portions in the position shown in solid lines in Figure 1 thus holding the door in opened position. The force due to the opening motion of the door is absorbed by the cushion 45 as the door attains the position shown in solid lines in Figure 1. The arms 39 are very stiff to insure an adequate grip on the ribs but on the other hand the width of the door is such that a relatively small force at the edge of the door multiplied by the moment arm represented by this width enables the door to be closed easily.

When the door is pushed to a closed position the, bowedportion of: the spring: arms adjacentv the. portion. 31 acts. as; a cam surface again to move the adjacent; portion away from the. link l5. and permit the ribs to be withdrawn from beneath the spring arms as, the door leaves the solid line position of Figure 1 to attain the dotted line position shown in that figure.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that I have provided a new and improved form of door check and holding device that posseses the advantage of simplicity of design and of assembly together with a sturdy construction adapted to the conditions incurred by use in automotive vehicles and the like.

I. claim:

1. A door check and holding device for retaining a closure member and a supoprting frame member in predetermined position with respect to each other, said device comprising a link adapted to be connected to one of said members, resilient means carried by said link, a bracket in. the form of a stamping with a central opening bounded on opposite sides by raised channel portions and adapted to be carried by said other member, a pair of ribs carried by said bracket in said raised channel portions to engage said resilient means when said members are in one position with respect to each other, means to space said ribs apart, said ribs being undercut at their ends, and lips bent downwardly from said portions and overlying the ends of said ribs to restrain the same against endwise movement, said lips being bent inwardly against said undercut ends to restrain said ribs against transverse movement out of said portions.

2. A door check and holding device for retaining a closure member and a supporting frame member in predetermined position with respect to each other, said device comprising a link adapted to be connected to one of said members, resilient means carried by said link, a bracket inthe form of a stamping with a central opening bounded on opposite sides by raised channel portions and adapted to be carried by said other member, a pair of independent nonconnected ribs carriedv by said bracket in said raised channel portions to engage said resilient means when saidmembers are in one position with respect to each other, tongues extending from said raised channel portions adjacent said opening between said ribs to space said ribs. apart, saidribs being undercut at their ends, and

lips formed in said bracket and overlying the;

ends; of said ribs to restrain the same against endwise movement.

3. A door check and holding device for retaining a closure member and a supporting frame member in predetermined position with respect to each other, said device comprising a link adapted to be connected to one of said members, resilient means carried by said link, a bracket in the form of a stamping with a central opening bounded on opposite sides by raised channel portions and adapted to be carried by said other member, a pair of independent non-connected ribs carried by-said bracket in said raised channel portions to engage said resilient means when said members are in one position with respect to each other, each of said channel portions having an inturned doubled back part between said ribs to space said ribs apart and stop means on said bracket disposed to engage the opposite ends portions of each of said independent ribs to restrain said ribs against endwise movement out. of; said channel portions.

4. A- door check. and holding, device for retaining a closure member. andlaisupporting frame member in predetermined position with respectto each other, said device comprising alink adapted to be connected to one of said members, resilient means carried by said link, a bracket in the form of a stamping with a central opening bounded on. opposite sides by raised generally U-shaped channel portions and adapted tobe carried by said other member, a pair of independent non-connected ribs carried by said bracket in said raised: channel portions to engage said resilient means when said. members are in one position with respect, to each other, each, of said channel-portions having an inturned doubled back part between said ribs-to space said ribs apart, said. ribs being undercut. at their ends, and lips formed in. said bracket remote from said inturned parts and overlying the undercut ends of said. ribs. to restrain. the same against endwise and transverse movement out of of said portions.

5. A door check and holding, device for re.- taining a closuremember and a supporting. frame member in. predetermined position with respect to each other, said device comprising, a. link adapted to be connected to oneof said members, resilient means carried by said link, a bracket in the form of a stamping with a central open.- ing bounded on opposite sides. by raised channel portions and adapted to be carriedby. said other member, a pair of independent non-connected ribs carried by saidbracket in said raised channel portions to engage. said. resilient means when said members are in one position with. respect. to each other, each of. said portions. having an inturned doubled back part between said. ribs, to space said ribs apart, saidribs being bent sharply at their ends, against. said. portions to thereby be restrained against endwise. movement.

6. A, door check andholding device for retaining a closure member and. a. supporting frame member inv predeterminedv position with respect to each other, said device comprising, a link adapted to be connected to one of said members, resilient means carried. by, said, link, a bracket in, they form of, a. stamping with. a central opening bounded. on. opposite sides by raised channel portions and adapted to be carried. by said other. member, a pair of. independentv non-connected ribscarriedby said bracket insaid raised channel portions to engage said resilient means when. said. members are in one position with respect to each other stop means on. said brack-- et disposed to engage the. opposite end portions of each. of said independent. ribs to restrain said ribs against endwisemovement out of said channel portions and. a. plate overlying said stamping and said raised channel portions to restrainsaid ribs against transverse movement out of said portions.

7. A door check and holding device for retaining a closure member and a supporting frame member in predetermined position with respect to each other, said device comprising a link adapted to be connected to one of said members, resilient means carried by said link, a bracket in the form ofa stamping with a central opening bounded on opposite sides by raised channel portions and adapted to be carried by said other member, a pair of independent nonconnected ribs carried. by said bracket. in said raised channel portions to engage said resilient means when said members. are in one position with respect tov each other, each of, said portions having an inturned doubled back part between said ribs to space said ribs apart, said ribs being bent sharply at their ends, against said portions to thereby be restrained against endwise movement, and a plate overlying said stamping and said raised portions to restrain said ribs against transverse movement out of said portions 8. A door check and holding device for retaining a door member in open position with respect to a supporting frame member, said device comprising a flat link adapted to be connected to one of said members, fiat spring arms carried on opposite faces of said link and each shaped at one end to provide a pocket between the respective arm and said link, a bracket in the form of a stamping with a central opening bounded on opposite sides by raised channel portions and adapted to be carried by said other member, a pair of independent non-connected ribs carried by said bracket spaced from each other in said raised channel portions to receive said link between them and lock said ribs in said pockets when said door is opened, each of said ribs having a portion bent from the longitudinal length thereof providing a shoulder to engage at least one of said raised portions to restrain the respective rib against endwise movement.

9. A door check and holding device for retaining a door member in open position with respect to a supporting frame member, said device comprising a fiat link adapted to be connected to one of said members, flat spring arms carried on opposite faces of said link and each shaped at one end to provide a pocket between the respective arm and said link, a bracket in the form of a stamping with a central opening bounded on opposite sides by raised channel portions and adapted to be carried by said other member, a pair of independent non-connected ribs carried by said bracket in said raised channel portions, each of said portions being doubled back inwardly between said ribs to space said ribs apart slidingly to receive said link between them and lock said ribs in said pockets when said door is opened.

10. A door check and holding device for retaining a door member in open position with respect to a supporting frame member, said device comprising a fiat link adapted to be connected to one of said members, fiat spring arms carried on opposite faces of said link and each shaped at one end to provide a pocket between the respective arm and said link, a bracket in I the form of a flat stamping with a central opening bounded on opposite sides by raised channel portions and adapted to be carried by said other member, a pair of independent non-connected ribs carried by said bracket in said raised channel portions, tongues extending from said raised portions adjacent said opening between said ribs to space said ribs apart slidingly to receive said link between them and lock said ribs in said pockets when said door is opened and lips formed in said bracket parallel to the plane thereof and overlying the ends of said ribs to restrain the same against endwise movement.

11. A door check and holding device for retaining a door member in open position with respect to a supporting frame member, said device comprising a link adapted to be connected to one of said members, spring arms carried on opposite faces of said link and each shaped at one end to provide a pocket between the respective arm and said link, a bracket in the form of a stamping with a central opening bounded on opposite sides by raised channel portions and adapted to be carried by said other member, a pair of ribs carried by said bracket in said raised portions, tongues extending from said raised portions adjacent said opening between said ribs to space said ribs apart slidingly to receive said link between them and lock said ribs in said pockets when said door is opened, and lips formed in said portions remote from said tongues and overlying the ends of said ribs to restrain the same against endwise movement.

12. A door check and holding device for retaining a closure member and a supporting frame member in predetermined position with respect to each other, said device comprising a link adapted to be connected to one of said members, resilient means carried by said link, a bracket having an opening bounded on opposite sides by spaced apart raised channel shaped portions, said bracket being adapted to be carried by said other member, a pair of independent non-connected ribs carried by said bracket in said channel shaped portions and adapted to engage said resilient means when said members are in one position with respect to each other; said bracket including separator means integral with said channel shaped portions and extending between said ribs to space said ribs apart, and stop means disposed to engage the opposite end portions of each of said independent ribs to restrain said ribs against endwise movement out of said channel portions.

13. A door check and holding device for retaining a closure member and a supporting frame member in predetermined position with respect to each other, said device comprising a link adapted to be connected to one of said members, resilient means carried by said link, a bracket having an opening bounded on opposite sides by spaced apart raised generally U-shaped channel portions, the inner end of one of said channel portions extending to one of said opposite sides of said opening and the inner end of the other of said channel portions extending to the other of said opposite sides of said opening, said bracket being adapted to be carried by said other member, a pair of independent non-connected ribs carried by said bracket in said channel portions and adapted to engage said resilient means when said members are in one position with respect to each other; said bracket including separator means integral with said channel portions and extending between said ribs to space said ribs apart, and stop means on said bracket disposed to engage the opposite end portions of each of said independent ribs to restrain said ribs against endwise movement out of said channel portions.

14. A door check and holding device for retaining a closure member and a supporting frame member in predetermined position with respect to each other, said device comprising a link adapted to be connected to one of said members, resilient means carried by said link, a bracket having an opening bounded on opposite sides by spaced apart raised generally U-shaped channel portions, the inner end of one of said channel portions extending to one of said opposite sides of said opening and the inner end of the other of said channel portions extending to the other of said opposite sides of said opening, said bracket being adapted to be carried by said other member, a pair of independent non-connected ribs carried by said bracket in said channel portions and adapted to engage said resilient means when said members are in one position with respect to each other; said bracket including separator means integral with said channel portions and extending between said ribs to space said ribs apart, stop means on said bracket disposed to engage the opposite end portions of each of said independent ribs to restrain said ribs against endwise movement out of said channel portions, and means for restraining said ribs against edge-wise movement transversely of said bracket.

RUDOLPH I. SCHONITZER.

' REFERENCES CITED Number Name Date Breitenwischer Apr. 1, 1941 

